So this might be totally random but this is where my head is today.

This Covid thing is totally legit and needs to be taken seriously but it’s driving me to my breaking point. I’m not sure if I’ve been this depressed before. I’m trying my best but this is difficult. After everything I’ve been through… Injury, surgeries, moving and all the little and big things in between, I’ve had my people around. My people being my girlfriend, family and friends. Not this time. And I know everyone here is going through the same thing. I realize that. And it’s tough for everyone. I know. I don’t feel like I should get some kind of special privilege, but at the same time, I do. I feel different. I’m 38 years old. I don’t have dementia. Yet. This situation is honestly bringing me down so much and I feel like I’m going crazy sometimes. I’m trapped on the third floor of a nursing home. It’s not bad living here or anything. Being here isn’t a problem. I mean, I would much rather be elsewhere. It’s the fact that I feel trapped.

My facility has been quarantined for some time now. I’m not allowed to leave, go to different floors or do too much really. I can go out of my room and on to a porch but that is usually inhabited by a unkept dude who sometimes works out with a piece of PVC piping with his belly and butt crack hanging out. He’s a good time! My home is waiting for everyone’s Covid test results to come back negative in order to open up again. (All residents and employees from my floor were tested this past week.) At least open up so residents can move from floor to floor. Who knows when we will open up to the public. I’m so used to people telling me what to do, where to go and when to do it, I’m not sure I’ll do with myself if things ever go back to normal. Maybe make plans to actually go out… Doing things. With people. Anyway, my test came back negative. That was the third one I’ve had since this whole pandemic started. I love the tests. Especially the one that goes really far into your nostril. Perfect for when the back of your brain is itchy. Things are just ridiculous. For example, in order for me to go to my dentist appointment downstairs I have to wear all out PPE. Mask, shield and gown. To travel two floors. Two floors. In the same building that I live. Unbelievable

I haven’t seen my friends, family or girlfriend in five months. That is of course with the exception of briefly seeing them when I was hospitalized but, I don’t remember much from that time. After all, I thought there was peanut butter and handwriting on the walls. I guess I kind of lost my shit so maybe not seeing anyone for the best. It’s beyond frustrating when I can look outside and see how beautiful it is. I’m always cold so I really enjoy getting out in the sun. Not allowed to do that. I can always go on that porch I mentioned earlier. Party! So I’ve spent my entire summer in my room or on the porch with that guy with the pipe playing board games. Thank god for my computer and technology so I can keep in touch with everyone and keep from going crazy.

Thanks for reading about my life. My journey. Not overly exciting these days. Maybe again one day.

So much has changed since I last checked in. I moved from home into an assisted living facility January 24. A nursing home. Don’t get me wrong, It’s much more than that. Very clean and everything someone would want for their loved ones should they need to be in such a place. Everyone is accommodating and extremely friendly. Unfortunately, this is where my life has brought me so I’m trying to make the best of it. It’s hard, especially with the corona virus/ quarantine happening just a month or so after I moved in. I haven’t seen my family or friends in over a month. My girlfriend for almost two months. Thank God for Skype and Zoom. Not sure what I would do without that technology. Can’t imagine what the older generation is going through without the things I get to use every day

My birthday was almost a month ago and I didn’t see anyone I love. Might not sound like a big deal but when it comes down to it, but when was the last time you spent your birthday alone? Extremely fortunate I’ve grown up with those that I love always around me during rough times. I’ve been through a lot. Spinal cord injury, surgeries, therapy and recovery, constant pain, anxiety and depression, sleep apnea, not being able to sleep and the list could go on. Medication for everything. I have to admit, this is one of the hardest things that I’ve ever have to do. I realize I’m very fortunate to have everything I do. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely grateful. It’s just hard. Life is hard for everyone, and someone somewhere else is always worse off and has their own story.

Having said all this, I know we will get through. It’s just a waiting game as long as people respect the guidelines given to us regarding the virus. Hopefully a year from now this will be in the past, there’s a vaccine and we don’t have a new kind of annual ‘flu season’ to worry about. I have a feeling we will see people walking around with masks on for a very very long time, but we can get overcome this if we stick together.

Not sure what else to write about right now. Just wanted to check in. Stay safe. Respect the rules. Love your friends and family! Appreciate everything you have! Everything!

I get an e-mail every Monday letting me know my stats from the previous week regarding my bike riding. For those that don’t know, I pull up to a machine, get pads connected to my legs, feet put into place and go. Most of it is the machine but I can help a little. Again, 99.99% is a machine but still. It helps. I usually do 2 hours a day during the week when I don’t have appointments. 8.3 miles per session, over 16 miles a day. Anyway, I got an e-mail this morning telling me my overall numbers. I’ve done over 2000 sessions which would be 2000 hours and 16,000 miles. Pretty cool and I’m fairly proud so I wanted to share. Thanks to everyone who donates to my fund. These things are expensive but I get a lot of use out of them and it is definitely beneficial. This thing will not run forever and I will have to do another fundraiser to replace it. Just letting those who gave know where your money goes. One of the many things anyway. Thanks again!

Hello everyone! I started a fundraiser, if you want to call it that. It’s for my fund which covers all things not paid for by insurance. Here’s the link if you’re interested in donating. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and who will. It is so very much appreciated!

In the process of obtaining my medical marijuana card. This is due to the constant pain I have every day that seems to be incurable. As of right now I have to live with the pain because I refuse to rely on opioids to make it through the day.

I can’t believe that yesterday, August 18, marked nine years since my accident. Some days it seems like just yesterday, others it feels like a completely different life. Here’s a video I made yesterday. Hope everyone reading this out there is doing well. Thank you for continuing to follow me despite my lack of posts. I will try to do better!

In the meantime…

Hopefully some of you out there are still following! Sorry I am all over the place and seemed distracted. I was actually kind of nervous making this because it feels like it’s been so long. Either way, I’m back…

Hello everyone! I feel like I’m constantly apologizing because of my neglect as a blogger, but I have really amazing news!

I’m very happy to say that I’m currently sitting in the wheelchair so many of you have been fighting for me to get! Luckily we found the initial quote I received ($60,000+) was the retail price. We had to pay over $20,000 out of pocket. This was for the standing feature, as well as a few other really great things, that insurance did not cover.

Receiving this wheelchair was only possible because of your hard work, kindness and generosity Thank you for your time and donations to Aaron’s Journey. I’m fortunate to have you all.

This was a big chunk of money to come from my fund. There are on-going monthly expenses that my insurance doesn’t cover. Please keep your eyes open for future fundraisers and if anybody has any good ideas for fundraising, let me know.

Thanks again from the bottom of my heart. More pictures and maybe even a video to follow soon! In the meantime, please click on the link right under this paragraph that says ‘standing wheelchair’.

Standing wheelchair

My Dad’s EAHS graduating Class of 1975 has decided to have this walk the same weekend their alumni are in town for their class reunion. Thank you so much to them, the Elizabethtown Masonic Village and all sponsors. Below please find a PDF including all the information about the walk, including a registration form. Thanks again to everyone involved and to those who will be walking!

EAHS Class of 1975 border

Today, August 18, 2015, marks six years since the accident. It’s hard to believe that much time has passed but on the other hand, sometimes it feels like it’s been much longer. I really appreciate that my Uncle Curt started this website in the first place. Then it was a great place for people to come and check on my progress from reading posts that my family and friends would leave. Who would’ve thought it would turn into my own blog?

I’ve come so far in these six years which was only possible because of God and the countless people that have come to my aid when I needed them the most. From those people, my family has undoubtedly and unselfishly given the most. A simple thank you to everyone doesn’t quite seem like it does justice for what I feel, but I really can’t quantify it!

So, here’s to the next six years and whatever it may bring. There’s no doubt – we will be ready!

Hello everyone! I’m sorry I’ve been away for so long. Thank you so much for those of you who have, continue to or just started following my journey. It means the world to me and I apologize that I’ve not done my part in keeping up with this blog. I will try to do my best to keep you updated. I just wanted to write a short message, so that’s it for now. Please check back shortly for a new message from myself and fundraiser October 10!

Talk soon!

This Saturday, May 16 from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, there’s going to be an all you can eat pancake breakfast for only $5.00!  This will be held at the Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 in Elizabethtown.  Proceeds will go directly to my fund, Aaron’s Journey.  If you are interested in making a donation because you cannot attend, you may do so at the following link – http://www.aaronwood.us/?page_id=38, or just simply look to the left side of the screen and click where it says, now accepting donations.

All money raised will go towards my goal of hopefully someday being able to afford a very much needed standing wheelchair.  They are around $60,000 and insurance will not help cover any of the cost.

Thank you so much for reading!  Hope to see some of you there.

Aaron

Thank you so much to Jarrett for putting together this amazing video!

So excited about a fundraiser that a friend from high school, Jarrett, has put together.  It will be held at the Blue Ridge Country Club, December 20, starting at 5:00 PM.  Tickets are $40.00 and may be purchased at his foundation’s website, http://www.judyselvesfoundation.com/.  They are going fast from what I understand!  If you’re interested, please purchase yours as soon as possible.  We would love to see you there!

Information about the fundraiser – http://www.judyselvesfoundation.com/event-information/

Please check it out, as well as the meaning behind what Judy’s Elves stands for and the importance to Jarrett.

Thank you for your support!